New socket set - difference between 1/4", 1/2", 3/8" etc etc

[sbarclay62]

Hi guys, newbie alert so apologies if this is an obvious question.

I've got an old '05 Yaris that I want to remove the back seats from. Quick google shows all I need to do is remove these 4 14mm bolts as per the picture below.

Going to nip out and buy a socket set tomorrow but no idea what i'm needing, getting confused with 1/4", 1/2" and 3/8".

Do you think this will do the job? Pretty skint so don't want to spend fortunes and would rather buy in person.

Any help much appreciated.


The bolts...

[sociopath]

I'm not disparaging socket sets, I probably have 3 or 4 sets, but don't you have a 14mm spanner? If not that would be cheaper than buying a socket set

[M4cruiser]

You can get a 14mm socket too, not just inch sizes.
But also 14mm is close in size to 9/16".

[Tony1963]

As above, or a mate with a socket set?

[freddytin]

For a good, all round socket set buy a metric,3/8ths drive set..Halfords professional...guaranteed for life

[paintman]

The vast majority of my socket stuff is 1/2" drive.

I do have some (not much) 3/8" & 1/4" drive but it's only used if I can't get the 1/2" stuff in.

For your job if you want to get a small socket set then go for 1/2" drive.

[gazza285]

M4cruiser said:

You can get a 14mm socket too, not just inch sizes.
But also 14mm is close in size to 9/16".

OP is on about the socket drive, not the size. Using a 9/16” socket is a good way of rounding off a 14mm bolt, and also an efficient way of removing the skin from a careless knuckle or two. Not recommended.

[beambeam1]

sbarclay62 said:

Going to nip out and buy a socket set tomorrow but no idea what i'm needing, getting confused with 1/4", 1/2" and 3/8".

For your main query, the 1/4"/1/22 and 3/8" sizes corresponds to the size of the drive or holder which the individual sockets attach to: A Complete Guide to Socket Sets but generally a lot of it has to do with increased size = increased strength. Small jobs like what you are tackling should be fine with a simple and cheap kit, bigger and tougher jobs then perhaps you want to get something with a bigger drive that will cope with the extra torque required to undo nuts and bolts.

The Socket Guide I linked to said:

Socket sets come in a wide range of sizes in both metric and imperial types, for tackling most types and gauges of fastener. It’s important to note that socket sizes are actually given in two measurements, namely:

The size of the drive socket (the part that attaches to the socket wrench). These are always given in imperial measurements, and will usually be either 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" or 1".

The size of the socket head (the part that fits over or into a fastener). Usually, the smaller the drive socket size is, the smaller the socket head size will be, and vice versa.

The majority of socket sets can broadly be categorise into either small-size or large-size sockets, with some overlap at the upper and lower ends of their sizing ranges.

Small socket sets - usually have 1/4" or 3/8" drive sockets, and head sizes range anywhere from 3mm to 22mm. These are ideal for use in confined spaces, or where a small gauge of fastener needs to be adjusted or removed.

Large socket sets - commonly have 3/4" or 1” drive sockets with head sizes ranging from 19mm to 50mm.. Large socket sets are generally required for larger fasteners, which tend to require (and withstand) more torque when tightening or loosening. A larger socket size usually indicates a larger drive socket, which can help deliver these higher forces without risking immediate damage to the tool.

Half inch socket sets - half-inch socket sets effectively occupy the middle ground between what would be classed as ‘small’ or ‘large’ sockets. The 1/2" drive socket standard falls right in the middle of the standard drive socket sizing range, and socket head openings intended for use at this gauge range anywhere from 8mm to 32mm in metric measurements.

Using a £5 money off voucher (hover around the Halfords website or leave an email and you will be sent a code) you'll bag this for £13 if it's available to order for click and collect: Halfords Advanced 36 Piece Socket Set 1/4"

But if you're just needing the 14mm and you're skint, surely a neighbour or mate has one they can chuck your way?

Edited by beambeam1 on Thursday 15th April 22:34

[hellorent]

For doing minor work on cars a 3/8 socket set will do, try & get a 6 point socket 1 as the is less chance of rounding a nut off, also look for metric sizes, if your going to be doing work on suspension etc get a 1/2 inch 1

[CoolHands]

Since the OP clearly doesn’t know one end of a spanner from the other, I doubt if he’s going to be doing major suspension work.

[colin_p]

Fold them down or remove, both are worth an extra 5bhp. All to do with the enhanced airflow through the cabin to the air outlets which are usually low down in the boot / hatch area.

[underwhelmist]

hellorent said:

For doing minor work on cars a 3/8 socket set will do, try & get a 6 point socket 1 as the is less chance of rounding a nut off, also look for metric sizes, if your going to be doing work on suspension etc get a 1/2 inch 1

Also if you're working on lower-torque nuts and bolts, I find you get a better feel for how tight things are with 3/8 rather than 1/2 drive. I've had far fewer snapped bolt disasters since I got a 3/8 set (Halfords Advanced Pro, only a small set, was about £20 on offer).

[craig_m67]

With regards the actual task/problem.. getting those dome headed nuts off.

I doubt a socket will be deep enough to go over it .. just buy a set of metric ring spanners, bound to be a set at your local pound shop.

[h0b0]

[DVandrews]

I woud go with a 3/8” drive, 1/4” drive won’t have the torque and 1/2” is better suited to suspension and heavy duty work. Make sure you use 6 point sockets as 12 points tend to round smaller fasteners especially if they are die formed and get a set that includes deep sockets.

Dave

Edited by DVandrews on Friday 16th April 08:21

[hyperblue]

I bought a Halfords advance socket set which came with 3/8" and 1/4" drives and a range of sockets, adequate enough for an engine replacement. Find i use the 3/8" for most car DIY, with the 1/4" for tight areas and smaller diameter bolts.

1/2" drive only required when a bit of force is needed - torquing wheel bolts, some suspension bolts etc. Have a breaker bar and torque wrench for those.

For the bolts in the OP though, you just need a spanner!

[sbarclay62]

Thanks for the advice guys. Spanner sorted and worked a treat. Surprised how easy they came off considering they hold the seats in place, barely any pressure required.

On a roll here, might try changing the spare wheel next, see how that goes. No stopping me now

[hellorent]

CoolHands said:

Since the OP clearly doesn’t know one end of a spanner from the other, I doubt if he’s going to be doing major suspension work.

I merely quoted that as I anticipated some smart arse would come along & say 3/8 will manage nuts up till about 18/19mm, before it will break, I should have also mentioned it's unlikely you will be working on anything bigger than 25mm but thanks for pointing that out to me even though I had read the OP post thoroughly.

[gazza285]

h0b0 said:

He's after a socket, not an adjustable hammer...

[M4cruiser]

paintman said:

The vast majority of my socket stuff is 1/2" drive.

I do have some (not much) 3/8" & 1/4" drive but it's only used if I can't get the 1/2" stuff in.

For your job if you want to get a small socket set then go for 1/2" drive.

You can drive size converters.
Agree with the comments about hex vs double-hex sockets. For the same reason an adjustable spanner is not recommended.